Wayanad Landslide is an example of human indifference and greed; Kerala High Court's comment, 'This is nature's warning to humans'

More than 400 people lost their lives in the recent landslide in Wayanad district of Kerala. Hundreds of people were left homeless and many were injured in this accident. Meanwhile, a big comment from the Kerala High Court has come to the fore on the Wayanad landslide.

The Kerala High Court today said that the Wayanad landslide is another example of nature's response to human "indifference and greed". The court further said that these are 'warning signs' which were visible long ago, but "we ignored them in pursuit of the development agenda.

The court said that natural disasters in 2018 and 2019, the pandemic that lasted for almost two years, and the recent landslides have made us aware of our mistakes.

A bench of Justices AK Jayasankaran Nambiar and Shyam Kumar V M, while hearing a petition initiated by the court itself after the landslide on July 30, said that if we do not mend our ways and take positive corrective action now, it may be too late.

The court said that three villages in Wayanad were completely destroyed in this landslide and 119 people are still missing. The court, in its order dated August 23, said, "to persuade the State Government to introspect on its present notions for sustainable development in the State of Kerala and to reconsider its policy in this regard" suo motu. Taking cognizance, a PIL was initiated.

The bench said that the court will take stock of the state's existing policies regarding exploitation of natural resources, conservation of environment, forests and wildlife, prevention, management and mitigation of natural disasters and sustainable development goals.